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SLANZA'S Vision
SLANZA aims to strengthen and promote the role of school libraries, to enable all school communities to become information literate.

Study Grants
SLANZA are offering study grants again this year. Applications for Study Grants for 2010 closed 31 October, 2009. Applicants will be notified shortly.

SLANZA National Executive Update for Members – October 2009
Conference:  Turning Heads, Christchurch 09 - Wasn't it fantastic?! Huge congratulations to the whole team responsible for such a wonderful experience.  Those of us fortunate enough to attend are now brimming with so many ideas, affirmations and enthusiasm, not to mention the renewing of on-going friendships with colleagues and the excitement of meeting (in the words of Anne of Green Gables) more kindred spirits.  To the organising committee – every single one of you deserves a medal but I hope that all the positive feedback serves as a true indication of how much your effort is truly appreciated.
National Library: As the new National Library structure described to us at Conference is rolled out into action, SLANZA National Executive is looking forward to working with this team to ensure the best possible outcomes for school library teams in this new, evolving landscape which is school libraries.
Politics: It was very disappointing that after initially agreeing to speak to delegates at Conference 09, Minister of Education Anne Tolley was unable to keep that appointment and instead sent local National M.P. Nicky Wagner to deliver her speech.  There was nothing new or unexpected in this speech and I shared the frustration of the people listening who would have preferred for the Minister of Education to hear first-hand the issues surrounding school libraries we all feel passionately about.  However, it is my intention to follow up on a number of conversations had at Conference and continue the momentum underway to advocate for positive change in how the Government and Ministry of Education view school libraries.
SLANZA Wiki: It's encouraging to see so many of you using our wonderful wiki.  Bridget Shaumann and her team have spent many, many hours putting together this treasure of a resource for us and it is a great way to keep us in connection with one another.
SLANZA Website: Bridget is leading a small team of collaborators looking at the best possible framework for our new SLANZA website.  We look forward to unveiling plans for this before the end of the term and are excited by the possibilities a more up-to-date platform will give us in keeping all our members up to date with what's happening around the regions and on the national front.  We are very aware that this is world's window on SLANZA so be assured this is one of our top priorities.
Sponsorship: This is also an area which is being given top priority by your National Executive team and we have a small but active group looking at a number of possibilities in this area, so – watch this space!
Standards for School Libraries:   National Executive has assembled a working party to look at putting together a comprehensive document outlining desired standards for school libraries.  This is another positive initiative which will become a tangible piece in the picture to present the Ministry of Education with further evidence of the professionalism of those of us working in the school library sector.

Senga White (SLANZA President)

Publisher's Permissions for SLANZA Members
Bridget Schaumann has contacted Publishers on behalf of SLANZA members and received permission from them for current SLANZA members to use their cover images in their libraries. To see a list of Publishers who have kindly granted their permission click here

The SLANZA Conference 2009: Turning Heads was held in Christchurch at Rangi Ruru Girls' School 28/29/30 September 2009.
Conference papers kindly made available by presenters have been posted on the Conference Papers page of the SLANZA website.
If you have a query contact us here

SLANZA Awards
Apply for an award, or nominate a colleague whom you think meets the criteria of the SLANZA Awards. Don't be guilty of the tall poppy syndrome - celebrate success and achievement in our school library community. The awards for 2009 may be seen on the Awards page.

Join SLANZA
Download the membership form, fill out and send to SLANZA. The address is on the form.

Professional Registration
SLANZA members may apply to LIANZA for Profession Registration if they meet the criteria for the mature scheme. To find out more about the scheme and applying for Profession Registration go to: http://lianza.org.nz/registration/

Slanza Brochure
For information about SLANZA download the SLANZA Brochure

Schoollib listserv
Find out how to subscribe to the schoollib listserv

Job descriptions
Examples of job descriptions for the library team and a flowchart of the job description process.

Page updated 16/11/09